Geneva December 2013

Frosty Morning

Starbucks in Geneva

After a rather broken night's sleep we had breakfast and then I drove Becky and Matthew into Geneva where Becky met a lady and bought a coat from her. We then went into Starbucks for a coffee. Outside of Starbucks is a small Christmas market with about half a dozen stalls selling different types of craft and clothing.

Reindeer Becky

We went back home for some lunch and relaxed. At around 5 Becky remembered that we had to do the shopping at Intermarche so we dived into the car and drove off. The broken headlight bulb didn't make driving easy. It was very cold and we had to negotiate the online shopping system for the first time. Then we went into the store for other items. At home we had some dinner and watched a DVD.

Day 2

The French Alps

I woke this morning at 4:30 and then went back to sleep for a while. I fed Matthew his breakfast and the. Put him in his play pen. He played with Spot's noisy night book but managed to get his hand trapped in it and started crying. Then it was off to bed. I spoke with Margaret and it seems all the crises have passed - the central heating is working again and the shed roof will be fixed next week. The gale force winds have subsided too.

Here we were having a lazy day, playing in the morning, eating bolognese for lunch and then a trip to Thoiry to fill up the car. We also went to the self-storage place but it was shut for lunch. In the afternoon we all slept. The sun shone from a cloudless cloud over the French Alps. In the distance we could see the occasional cloud hanging over the mountains a cool, stillness hovered over the Rhone-Alps landscape. As evening crept in Matthew had another feed and darkness descended over the distant Alaps. There was a stillness in the air and all was quiet save for the occasional passing car.

We walked to the farm to pick up provisions. It was really cold. Andrew came home just as we returned. Pizza for dinner.

Day 3

Sunrise over the Alps

Sadly my cold has taken a hold. However I pray that it will go as quickly as it came. The differencing temperature between the frosty night air and the warm lounge may account for it. Last night I had a whisky and it helped me sleep really well. I awoke this morning to a beautiful sunrise over the Alps and Juras. I played with Matthew who is a real charm. I posted several photos to FaceBook from this morning's sunrise. Andrew and Becky went to the storage place to upgrade their allowance. We aim to visit Yvoire today in the unbroken sunshine.

The afternoon was a lazy time, no visit to Yvoire. In the evening Andrew and Becky went for a meal in Geneva while I babysat.

Day 4

Yvoire

We drove to Previsson to look at a flat. It was really modern with all the amenities. It had 3 bedrooms, one with an en-suite shower. It is on the second floor and has a lift. At level -1 there are many double garages in an enclosed area. (Sadly Andrew spoke to the landlord in the evening and it had been taken)

Yvoire

After this Becky drove us to Yvoire. It was a cold but sunny day. Yvoire is a medieval city in Haute-Savoie department, in the region of Rhône-Alpes in south-eastern France

Day 5
I drove to Thoiry first thing in thick fog and frost. I tried the car wash but it didn't work. I then went to Migros and bought provisions along with a number of chocolate gifts to take home. Migros, being Swiss, are not allowed to sell alcohol in the same store. The rest of the day was a lazy day playing with Matthew. Anew came home quite early by UN standards and they spent the evening writing their Christmas cards.
Yvoire is best visited in th summer. It is a really quaint old town, similar to a Cornish fishing village. Most shops and restaurants were closed but we found a restaurant - Le Bateau Ivre - where we had pumpkin soup, bread and wine.

© Roger G Johnson 2013